2013 Map of Trinity Site

About this map

The Trinity Site stands as the central landmark of this landscape, situated within the vast arid basin of the Jornada del Muerto. This location in Socorro County is where the world’s first nuclear device was detonated, an event that fundamentally changed the course of history. To the south, the McDonald Ranch house represents the rural ranching heritage that existed before the area was repurposed for government testing. The terrain is defined by the sharp ascent of the Oscura Mountains on the eastern edge of the quadrangle, where Trail Canyon cuts through the ridges. Water sources are scarce in this high desert environment, marked by small catchments such as Little Red Tank, Story Tank, and Story E Tank. Transportation through this controlled space is limited to specific corridors like Wsmr P Route 20, reflecting the region's transition from open range to a highly restricted military zone.